All Out of Pretty

February 1, 2018

Gr 10 Up-Andrea is plucked by her drug-addicted mother, Ayla, from her loving grandmother's house after the older woman dies. Andrea becomes homeless and lives in a car, while Ayla tries to get money and food from guys she sleeps with. When Ayla gets a new boyfriend, Judd, they move in with him, and Andrea is forced to help him package and distribute drugs for her keep. Judd is abusive and Andrea doesn't know what to do. She doesn't want to abandon her mother, but when things turn even worse, the teen starts a plan to save herself. The complicated relationships that involve Andrea are realistically drawn, down to the psychological trauma that each one entails. The flawed main characters have their own issues that Palmer presents in an authentic way. Readers will sympathize with all of the characters, even the antagonists. The debut author does not leave any traumatic thought unturned. This is textbook-contemporary YA, but it feels fresh under Palmer's expert writing. There are no wasted words, and the mounting events will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they cheer on the protagonist and cringe from the horrendous situations she experiences. VERDICT An excellent selection for YA shelves.-Rachel Reinwald, Lake Villa District Library, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
After the death of her grandmother, Andrea fights to survive a violent life with her addict mother.Sixteen-year-old Andrea lives quietly with her grandmother, putting all her energy into academic achievement. If she can get a full scholarship to college, she can escape the shadow of her estranged, drug-addicted mother, Ayla. But when Gram suddenly passes away, Ayla resurfaces to claim custody. Andrea, a pretty, white girl whose light blue eyes are the envy of her peers, gets used to Ayla partying all night, spending all their money, and taking financial advantage of men. When they're evicted, a white man named Judd lets them move in on the condition that Andrea earns her keep helping with household chores and his drug-running business. The slightest misstep leads to physical punishment. Andrea tries to keep her head down and focus on school, but she stumbles into new friendships that put her and those she cares about at risk. She can't let anyone get close now; all she can do is try to survive--and she will do anything to survive. Andrea's constant abuse is heartbreaking, and her complicated relationship with Ayla is well-wrought. Though her struggles are hard to read about, Andrea is both flawed and fierce enough to pull readers through them with her.An achingly realistic portrait of abuse and addiction. (Fiction. 14-adult)

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February 15, 2018
Grades 9-12 Palmer's powerful debut explores how far a person will go and how much they can endure for survival. Honor-roll student Andrea's life is turned upside down and inside out when her grandmother dies. In the custody of her estranged, drug-addict mother and living with her mom's abusive drug-dealer boyfriend, Andrea finds herself pulled into a world where her book smarts are of little use. With the prospect of college as her only escape, Andrea tries to keep her head down and survive just long enough to get out. But when things take a dark turn, she realizes her freedom may cost her everything and everyone she cares about. Palmer masterfully balances Andrea's strength and helplessness, demonstrating how easy it is for anyone to become a victim of abuse. This is a gripping read that leaves the reader both eager to find out what will happen next and terrified to discover what else Andrea must endure. An exciting introduction to a talented writer.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)